The Winter Tolkien Trail Event Guide

THE WINTER TOLKIEN TRAIL EVENT GUIDE

Greetings Hobbit!

The festivities are about to begin, beers and indulgent foods about to be shared with those nearest and dearest, but it's always more of a treat after a venture into the Shire, right? And we know 350 short folk with furry feet that that have vast experience in having a good time - and we're ready to provide the setting!

An end of year run and get together from the stunning grounds of Stonyhurst and the terrific trails of the Ribble Valley awaits with our 2nd edition of the Winter Tolkien Trail Race... so let's kick things off with what you need to know for the last party in Hobbiton for the year!

EVENT NEWS & INFO

WINTER TOLKIEN TRAIL COURSE

Keeping in line with the theme, in the Summer race you travel 'there', and now you get to travel 'back again'! 

The course this time of year will likely be much more muddy and slippy, so bring appropriate clothing and shoes to meet the demands of the course and continue to be observant at road crossings and listen to marshal instructions.

PARKING & ARRIVAL

Parking like the Summer edition will be kept entirely on the Stonyhurst College grounds itself. Please follow Sat Navs to Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ using Knowles Brow Road and avoid using the avenue through the village. We will be operating a one way system through the college, please follow marshal directions as to where to park. 

Please follow the marshals instructions on arrival for where to park (it's cold, we know.. but roll down windows to hear instructions). Park up sensibly, then walk to the Race HQ located at the front of Stonyhurst College.

Please help us make the day as epic as it has been previously, which you can do so by arriving as early as possible and car share where you can to help make the day run smoothly. 

We open at 8:00am to make parking and registration quick and smooth for you, if the vast majority don't arrive until after 10am and expect to get parked up, registered and have time to use the Portaloos you will likely miss the start of the race. So please arrive in plenty of time, grab yourself a coffee or breakfast from our food stall and be ready to set off at 11:00am.

EVENT VILLAGE

We will have a caterer joining us for the event once again providing both hot and cold food, including grilled food and posh butties and hot drinks too (vegan options as well).

Get your 2nd breakfasts (or 3rd or 4th, who are we to judge, it's Christmas after all!) before or after the race as you cheer in your fellow racers at the finish line!RACE MERCH

Pre-ordered Tolkien Trail merch will be available to collect along with your number at registration location at Race HQ. 

Our Pennine Trails t-shirts, vests, hoodies, hats and buffs will also be available to purchase to commemorate your race. Card option should be available, but bring cash just in case.MARSHALLING

Events like this take a lot of help to run, a 'fellowship' must be formed, if you will...

If you know of any friends, family, or club members that would like to help us put the day on, let them know they can get involved by emailing us at inof@penninetrails.com. They will receive a free entry to next year's event in return and the gratitude of (us) and many happy Tolkien Trailers.

Runners who have missed the deadline to defer are still able to do so by instead marshalling at this year's event and can let us know by email too.

RACE DAY DETAILS

Date:

30th December 2023

Registration Location: 

Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ - Race HQ and the Event Village is located outside at the front of Stonyhurst College this year. Please arrive in plenty of time to collect your number - car share where possible and arrive in PLENTY of time.

Merchandise:

Pennine Trails merch will be available before and after the race from the merch stand. Extra Tolkien Trail merch available to order. Card available but please bring cash.

Toilets:

Located near Race HQ, please make use of them in plenty of time to ensure the race begins on time.

Registration Opens:

8:00am - 10:45am - please collect your race number and any pre-ordered merch.

Registration Closes:

10:45pm

Race Brief:

10:55pm from the start along the avenue at Stonyhurst College.

Race Begins:

11:00am 

Bag Drop:

Available at Race HQ, goods left at your own risk. 

Race Goodies:

Collect as you cross that finish line!

Course Information:

There are three road crossings on the course, and you will now also cross the road past the Shire Burn Arms at the start of the race with the reversal of the route for the Winter edition. Marshals will be on each crossing to help you pass safely. If a car comes, marshals will momentarily pause you as the car passes. Please treat all road crossings like you would in any run.

Parking *Important*:

Please car share as much as possible and remember to arrive via Knowles Brow Road and follow signs to the marshals who will direct you to park. 

We are using the grounds whilst other operations are ongoing at the College, please be aware of any pedestrians and school children at all times whilst driving (or running) around the grounds. Stonyhurst would also like to ensure children of parents running are with a parent at all times whilst on Stonyhurst grounds.

Prize Giving:

Prize Giving will be held at roughly 1:00pm, so stick around, grab warm food, donuts and some coffee, cheer in your fellow Tolkien Trailers (the event village and race finish are all in the same spot) and celebrate the winners and category winners at the end of day enjoying some good times on the Pennine Trails. 

Don't forget, at Pennine Trails our team prize consists of 2 men and 2 women from the same team, so it's all to play for!

For the first time, we will also have an award for best fancy dress, so whether 'yer a wizard, a hobbit, or any other fantastical creature, there'll be a prize awarded for the best, so be sure to stick around and collect it if you're the lucky winner!

Water:

We will have water ready for you at the end and we will have some paper cups available, but if you have your own bottle or foldable cup, please use to reduce waste.

Shoes & Kit:

Let's be honest, it's gonna be a muddy one! You'll be pleased to know that this year Sauron has renovated and has laid a new gravel track down his gaff on Mount Doom. It will, however, still likely be a muddy run in the rain around the rest of the Shire.

We will be monitoring the forecast and will email to notify if we require you to bring specific kit. However, it is winter and it's always good practice to carry a waterproof jacket, hat and gloves and we recommend you do so.

Fancy dress is optional and we always recommend it! 

Toilets:

For an event this size it is recommended we have 3 portaloos, we have however hired 6 portaloos and a urinal block to make sure the race sets off right on time. Please help us ensure the race sets off at 11:00am by using these facilities in plenty of time.

Results & Photos:

Results will be available live as you cross the line and will be available at: http://www.timingupnorthresults.co.uk/

Photos will be available from Mick Hall shortly after the event at his Facebook page, or at: https://mickhallphotos.photohawk.com/

Deferrals & Transfers: The time has passed for deferrals but we still allow any transfers to other runners until 1 week before (midnight Saturday 23rd Decembermber). We can make no transfers after this time.

We do allow any runners wishing to help marshal the event to defer their entry to the following year, which you can do so by emailing info@penninetrails.com.That's your lot! 

We will do our best to get back to any queries throughout the week as we are busy away making this year's event as special as possible to end the year. 

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and we will see you in the Shire on New Year's Eve, Eve!